Monday, October 13, 2008

Coastal Cavorting

We headed to the coast with some friends.

Tillamook Cheese Factory was our first stop. We sampled cheese curds, medium sharp cheddar and extra sharp cheddar. The squeaky curds reminded me of how much I miss the taste of fried cheese curds at the Minnesota State Fair. Fried, Cheese and Curds are three highly dangerous words on their own, let alone together.  Following Tillamook Cheese, we headed over to the Blue Heron Cheese Factory. I much preferred Brie over Cheddar. I'm American as the next guy, but Brie just taste divinely superior to Cheddar. To top, they have old farm equipment and petting animals at the Blue Heron Cheese Factory.

Retired farm equipment at the Blue Heron Cheese Factory

Llama asks you to recommend an orthodontist.

Shortly aftewards, we hopped on Highway 101 and took advantage of the many scenic viewpoint areas from Tillamook Bay, Oregon to Cape Disappointment, Washington.

Some locals enjoying Saturday fishing in the calm Tillamook Bay.

One of the many Highway 101 Viewpoints

Enough with the viewpoint stops. Let's see the landmark up-close.

Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach

Lost jellyfish. My tummy will be your new home.

Speaking of food, authentic seafood shack at the Ecola Seafood Restaurant & Market, Cannon Beach, Oregon

The Astoria-Megler Bridge spans across the Columbia River. The longest continuous truss bridge in North America is surprisingly narrow.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Rain Rumor

Rumor has it that it rains a lot here.

It's been raining more often than not. The rain has been on and off all day. I wonder when I'll get used to this.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Operation Baking Gals


This morning I packed and mailed double batches of Reese's Brownies, Double Chocolate Brownies and Lemon Cookies to the homesick troops in Iraq.

I read somewhere that Lemon was the thing Martha Stewart missed the most while in jail; her family was second. Don't get me wrong, I am not correlating jail time to time in duty. Service men and women exemplify courage, honor and selflessness--three of many characteristics that distinguish themselves from those in the clink. I hope a bite of the Lemon Cookies will bring refreshment and a bit of home to the troops in the hot, desert heat.

Cookies, nuts, dehydrated fruits and pre-paid calling cards are only tokens of our appreciation. How does one truly thank those who have dedicated more than their lives?

Double Chocolate Brownies

Reese's Brownies

Lemon Cookies

Sent to Zachary Sain